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ST. LOUIS–(KMOX)–A semester of simmering discontent on the SLU campus could be coming to a boil, as the President of the SLU Faculty Senate seeks a meeting before the full SLU Board of Trustees Dec 15 to call for the ouster of university President Father Lawrence Biondi.

“We will simply bring the issues that the faculty have raised to the board’s attention,” said Faculty Senate President Mark Knuepfer, “But they must make the final decision. That decision is out of our hands.”

In recent weeks, the SLU faculty and students have both cast separate “no confidence” votes against Biondi, citing concerns about the alleged mis-allocation of funds, a decline in the school’s ranking and the departure of quality faculty members.

St. Louis University Adminstration Building

Knuepfer says he is in contact with Thomas H. Brouster, Chairman of the some 50 member board. A formal request to speak at the December 15 meeting will be made soon when executive committees of the Board of Trustees and Faculty Senate hold a second in a series of closed door meetings, Knuepfer said.

The request to make their case against Biondi comes at a time when even Biondi’s most ardent opponents are wondering if the board will do anything about the no confidence votes.

“To me, it appears inevitable that the president must find a way to finish his term as President of St. Louis University prematurely,” Knuepfer said.

Biondi is also expected to be present at the December 15 board meeting, where he could make his case for all he has done to expand the campus and raise the prestige of the university.